[feature request] selective stacking of units/structures in empire tree

from Sins Forums

Hejhej!

Wouldn't it be nice to use the stacking option only on selected items in the empire tree? Sometimes I need to have some items stacked but others not. For example: I don't really need to see each extractor, strike craft squad or defense turret, they're just wasting space and I need to scroll in order to see the important stuf.

I propose a second option to use the stacking button: If items in the empire tree are selected and I click the button, only those get stacked. If nothing is selected everything gets stacked (as it is now).

The improvement would be great for not-so-vast-displays or -resolutions. I really like the empire tree, but sometimes there are just so many items in a gravity well. Some of which's icons I want to see individually and some I don't)

Could this please be added for the next patch or expansion?

 

PS: the stacked view on the empire tree also contains a bug. I noticed this for advent trade ports, when I select them via the stacked icon, I can't cycle between them with Strg+Tab.

12,321 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

while I'm not sure that this is the best way to improve things, I do agree that stacking could be handled better, more dynamic or shall we say interactive in that we can influence more accurately what we want stacked and maybe how much so.

what could correspond your request would be an option in the options menu such as "always stack logistic buildings" or something along the lines. much like the option "always autoplace extractors".

for me the nicest solution would be to have them stacked, but be able to expand a stack of units and see the individual units too or remove move them away and form a new stack.

oh, and lastly: is there a stack attack option already? in the past when I ordered an attack on an enemy stack, it would only work on the first unit of the stack, then it would be autofire again. maybe this is an intended behavior and was never planned to change, but I would like a quick and easy option to have a selection of my units concentrate fire on all, say, lrfs or siege units. and smartly so, not that 50 heavy cruisers focus fire on 1 lrf. that would simple be a waste of firepower.

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Shadowhal, reply 1

oh, and lastly: is there a stack attack option already? in the past when I ordered an attack on an enemy stack, it would only work on the first unit of the stack, then it would be autofire again. maybe this is an intended behavior and was never planned to change, but I would like a quick and easy option to have a selection of my units concentrate fire on all, say, lrfs or siege units. and smartly so, not that 50 heavy cruisers focus fire on 1 lrf. that would simple be a waste of firepower.
End of Shadowhal's quote

You mean attack-clicking a stack should automatically create an attack queue?

I'm pretty sure you're units will attack the first one only. Thats probably related to the bug I mentioned. Clicking on a stack only selects the items "graphicaly" but not "logically". But on the main screen they appear to be selected.

 

Quoting Shadowhal, reply 1

what could correspond your request would be an option in the options menu such as "always stack logistic buildings" or something along the lines. much like the option "always autoplace extractors".
End of Shadowhal's quote

Yeah, but it's still more differentiated than this. There would have to be lots of options as there are lots of items a player might want to stack or not.

I think the easiest solution is to have the stack button work two-ways: if something is selected, only stack/exand those items. If nothing's selected stack/exand everything.

Ashes of the Singularity II